What Readers Think Letters to the Editor

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22791, 15 January 1944, Page 3

What Readers Think Letters to the Editor

BOTTLE-BREAKING Sir,—A recent paragraph having reference to the number of empty and broken bottles scattered over Auckland during the Christmas-New Year period is evidence enough that a new' world , order is coming in with a swing. li the conceptions of Aucklanders, or 1 others, relative to the significance of ' the season prompt the emptying and ■ breaking of beer bottles, then a new 1 era has already dawned. If the civic ! pride and sense of decency now being cultivated urges the pioneers of this ‘ New Order to scatter broken glass over 1 the roadways as a menace to pedestrians and motorists alike, there are ■ still a few who prefer old customs with ’ their dignified hospitality and consideration for others, and who rather deplore the descent of the Christian festival to the level of a pagan orgy.— I am, etc., G. V. HOOPER. AFTER THE WAR Sir,—A recent cable message quoting Sir William Beveridge suggests that he is talking with reservations, or else does not understand his subject. He is not expressing facts. Of what value was It to Britain to be “much richer than 25 years before with a standard of living 30 per cent higher on the average,” when, according to Sir John Orr, only half the population could afford to spend 10/- on food essential to adequate diet, while the other half could not. Further, the “professional pessimists,” whom Sir William Beveridge seeks to discredit in Britain, have sound reasons for affirming that we will be poorer alter the war. They know what happened after the last war. The same procedure will be attempted after this war. To return to capitalist peacetime norm millions of pounds worth of machinery must be destroyed in preparation for an economy of restriction.—l am, etc., OWEN J. F. McKEE. SUNDAY TENNIS Sir,—ln your report of the Council of Sport meeting it appeared that the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association had introduced the subject of Sunday tennis, whereas it was introduced by a member of the Sports Council. Whether Timaru has Sunday tennis on the Bay or not has not been considered by the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association and no expression of opinion has been arrived at on this P°int. As Sunday tennis has existed In Timaru for nearly 20 years, and the major clubs representing 80 per cent of the tennis players permit Sunday tennis, it is obvious that the tennisplaying community, which is a cross section of the public, is tacitly in favour of Sunday tennis on the Bav Remembering that this facility Will i Jhihiarily used by excursion visitors to Timaru, and who, there is no doubt, are just as entitled to play tennis on Caroline Bay as their friends are to disport themselves with the minimum of dress allowed by law while “bathing. ’ Tennis is not a peace-disturbing a sefiate and modest form of healthy exercise.—l am, etc., P. W. YOUNG. WAR EXPENDITURE Sir,—Statistics show that America is spending 2200 dollars a second to finance this war. Will any Government be prepared to spend a fraction of that bank credit on reconstruction and rehabilitation, or will we be again subject to the old cry of “where is the money to come from?” We know now how easily the coffers are opened for war; we also know how mysteriously and securely locked they become when, in peace, we ask for the fruits of victory. Finance now has no mystery for us. We no longer believe that it is a case of “pennies from heaven” in wartime and “turn your money in your pocket” (providing you have any money and providing that y°u a pocket) in peacetime. We have all been promised the fruits of victory and peace” but I wager that it is a Deep Sea apple thev are holding behind their backs.—l ani etc., M. J. HARTSTONGE.